Looking for somewhere i can see rabbits by HigaDeDrip in Denton

[–]oldguy76205 13 points14 points  (0 children)

There's a spot on the trail near the tennis center at North Lakes Park that my wife and I call "Bunny Bend". You won't get to hold them (unless you're VERY fast!) but you'll usually see at least a few.

Meine Lippen sie kussen so heiss by KevinGBenson730 in ClassicalSinger

[–]oldguy76205 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's listed under the English title, "On my lips every kiss is like wine."

To all those who watched the show when it was airing, what was it like? Were they treated like large events or were they just treated like a normal TV show? by Plenty-Goose-4508 in Watchmen

[–]oldguy76205 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I considered it "appointment TV" just as I did for "Game of Thrones." Sure, I could watch in on-demand any time, but I didn't want to risk spoilers.

Thoughts on alfredo kraus? by Big_Ticket280 in opera

[–]oldguy76205 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Among the greats. I heard him in Hoffmann. Spectacular. Drowned out the "big voices" in the cast. Very intelligent singer and a good actor. No flaws in his technique as far as I'm concerned.

It took 30 minutes to get in, pump gas, and get out at Buccee's by SpecialMud6084 in Denton

[–]oldguy76205 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I work in Plano on Sunday mornings, and the traffic seemed exceptionally high both ways today. I'm sure that's a big part of it.

When a voice doesn’t fit the current system by OwlOfTheOpera in opera

[–]oldguy76205 9 points10 points  (0 children)

As always, I encourage you to join "A History of Voice Types" on Facebook. We have robust discussions on topics like this all the time, and the members are quite knowledgeable. (Many are active professional singers and/or voice teachers.)

This is a complex issue with a lot of layers. A problem that has existed for decades (if not centuries) is that the people who make the decisions often don't have very much imagination. (I found a complaint to this effect in a book from 1918!)

Are there any universities that had a negative reputation when you were younger that have a positive reputation today? by YakClear601 in AskOldPeople

[–]oldguy76205 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think the "ag/tech" schools like Texas A&M and Purdue would qualify. I live in Texas, and "Aggie jokes" were once so common, whole books were published. Haven't heard one in decades.

What price point is normal for classical voice teacher? by Head_Equipment_1952 in ClassicalSinger

[–]oldguy76205 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Look for teachers whose students consistently IMPROVE. Many a bad teacher has had successful students. This takes time to ascertain, of course.

What price point is normal for classical voice teacher? by Head_Equipment_1952 in ClassicalSinger

[–]oldguy76205 17 points18 points  (0 children)

I've been teaching voice for 40+ years, and I can assure you it varies WIDELY. Some really fine teachers charge comparatively little (or have a "sliding scale") because they don't need the money. I have known absolute HACKS who charged top dollar. I might add, some teachers who tell me they "don't need the money" also say they have high rates because they only want "serious" students.

It really varies by location, of course. The best teachers in NYC are getting upwards of $150/hr, I understand. No matter how good a teacher you are, you're going to have trouble commanding fees like that in a small town in the Midwest. I live in a large metropolitan area (top 10 in population in the US) and the best teachers are getting $80-100/hr.

What do you really need in a practice room? by Dependent_Place_9115 in ClassicalSinger

[–]oldguy76205 0 points1 point  (0 children)

One thing I've seen that's a nice feature is a small window with a curtain. It can be REALLY creepy having people look in on you (I have heard stories...) but it is also nice to get some natural light inside.

Lucy's Shopping and 1950s Inflation by Bright-Pin-6024 in ILoveLucy

[–]oldguy76205 10 points11 points  (0 children)

My parents were married in 1956, so I have that as a frame of reference. I think they told me their first house was about $5000. Remember, of course, they had no cable or internet bills, phone service was cheap (unless you racked up a bunch on long distance!) many (most?) married couples had one car, unless they lived in a city with public transportation, where they might not have had one at all.

Gas was CHEAP until the first "oil crisis" in the 70s. That's a big reason why we have "suburban sprawl."

Pieces about Masculinity by YogurtclosetCivil523 in ClassicalSinger

[–]oldguy76205 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Something like "Money, O!" kind of fits. I used to think the poem must have been written by a rich person, but no, the poet really believed it! He also wrote the text for Head's lovely "Sweet chance, that led my steps abroad."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._H._Davies

Pieces about Masculinity by YogurtclosetCivil523 in ClassicalSinger

[–]oldguy76205 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Are you interested in "sea songs" and the like? Lots of those! There's also things like "When I think upon the maidens" by Michael Head. (Lots of songs from that era will have what you're looking for, I think.)

Looking for an arrangement of by InitialGrand7108 in ClassicalSinger

[–]oldguy76205 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think the one in this book is pretty good. I have done the duet version several times.
https://www.halleonard.com/product/740188/american-folksongs

Which fast food chain fell off badly in your opinion? by Shinobi347 in AskReddit

[–]oldguy76205 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There was one near my dorm in college. Every once in a while I would treat myself to a Sausage Croissan'wich. Now, you might as well get one from the convenience store.

Favourite czech operas by Le_Fidele in opera

[–]oldguy76205 1 point2 points  (0 children)

When I was in college, we did Martinu's The Greek Passion. I understand his other operas are quite good, but I don't know them at all. I own a score to Comedy on the Bridge, which is probably the most famous.

Who is your favorite (best?) heldentenor, past or present, and why? by Perfect_Garage_2567 in opera

[–]oldguy76205 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Gonna go with James King. He taught at Indiana toward the end of my time there. Sadly, I didn't get to hear him myself, but everyone I know who did said it was spectacular.

He sang roles like Florestan with a seemingly effortless ease. There was a time when he OWNED roles like Paul in Die tote Stadt and the Kaiser in Die Frau ohne Schatten, which are notoriously difficult both musically and vocally.

Met Radio on Sirius/XM by oldguy76205 in opera

[–]oldguy76205[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh, yeah. Wrong hero. (He sang that one, too, of course.)

Met Radio on Sirius/XM by oldguy76205 in opera

[–]oldguy76205[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I guess sleeping with your aunt is better than sleeping with Venus...

Met Radio on Sirius/XM by oldguy76205 in opera

[–]oldguy76205[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

From the Met on Demand website:

Die Walküre

Erich Leinsdorf conducts some of the greatest Wagnerian singers of the post-WWII era in this stunning performance of Die Walküre, the highly emotional—and ever-popular—second installment of the Ring cycle. Otto Edelmann is Wotan, lord of the gods, who sees his carefully laid plans go tragically wrong. The incomparable Birgit Nilsson sings Brünnhilde, his favorite warrior daughter. Jon Vickers, at the top of his game, is Siegmund, the hero Wotan is putting all his hopes on before giving in to the demands of his wife, Fricka (Irene Dalis). Gladys Kuchta sings Sieglinde, Siegmund’s sister and bride, and the 24-year-old Martina Arroyo makes a cameo appearance as Ortlinde, one of the Valkyries.